Medicolegal Death Investigator

Part Time/ Non- Exempt Position
Starting Wage: $31.27- $33.89 with $3/ hour on-call pay

Job Summary
The Medical Examiner’s Office responds to reports of death 365 days a year (including evenings, overnight, weekends and holidays), Medicolegal Death Investigators are used to fill vacancies when the Medical Examiner is not available and when there are simultaneous calls for service. Medicolegal Death Investigators assist the Medical Examiner in the carrying out of all duties of a death investigation.

The Ozaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office operates under the statuary obligation of determining cause and manner of death along with the obligation of identifying deceased individuals and locating and notifying legal next of kin. The Medicolegal Death Investigator determines the manner of death through an investigative process using deductive and inductive reasoning skills to draw conclusions based on existing knowledge, prior experience and available evidence. In cases of sudden or unattended deaths that are caused by an accident, homicide, suicide, overdose or suspicious circumstances, the Medicolegal Death Investigator relies on the expertise of a forensic pathologist to provide cause of death from a medical standpoint.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position.  Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully with or without reasonable accommodations to be qualified for the position.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

80% Death Investigations:
Pronounces death, Determines cause / manner of death (accidental, homicide, natural, or suicide)
Upon dispatch, the Medicolegal Death Investigator responds to the scene to pronounce and determine time and circumstances of death.

Conducts the initial investigation which involves:

• Evaluates the scene through photographic and written documentation of the Investigator Report
• Consults with Medical Examiner or Lead Investigator and keeps them comprised of evolving investigation.
• Records and retains statements as needed from first responders, witnesses, healthcare providers and family.
• Performs external body examination
• Outlines the scope and course of a death investigation, makes an initial assessment of the cause and manner of death.
• Preserves and documents evidence, ensuring the safety of those involved.
• Establish decedent identification through scientific methods if necessary.
• Notifies the next of kin.
• Secures and prepares the body and personal belongings for transport to the morgue, ME’s office or release to local funeral home.

Additional follow-up is often required and noted in section below.

20% Investigation Follow Up (Phone Inquiries/Notifications/Coordination):
Colleague Interactions:

• Intakes data from deaths that occur at medical facilities and determines Medical Examiner involvement.
• Collects medical records & history.
• Speak with physicians to obtain medical history and confirm death certification.
• Communicates with Next of Kin throughout death investigation.
• Coordinates transports to/from scene, to/from Morgue and to/from ME office.
• Corresponds with the Medical Examiner Office providing the autopsy.
• Contacts the appropriate donor network for potential organ donation.
• Testifies in civil and criminal court cases when necessary.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Minimum Education Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

• Associates Degree in Medical/Criminal Justice or Related Field/Experience

Preferred experience:

• Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic with 2,000 hours of documented field

work experience.

• Human anatomy and physiology knowledge
• Medical terminology

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License.
• Must successfully pass criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Qualifications
In order to perform the functions and responsibilities of the position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential.
 

• Must be able to commit to a minimum of 72 on-call hours per month; generally, a mix of evenings/mornings/weekends/and holidays, but emphasis on weekends.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and access to personal transportation, or other reliable means of city and rural travel on a 24-hour basis.
• Must be able to respond to the scene within 1-hour of being dispatched.
• Knowledge of the statutory duties affecting the Medical Examiner’s Office, methods of conducting death investigations, and supervisory techniques.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective public relations and working relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
• Ability to exercise judgment and make independent decisions, communicate effectively orally and in writing and interact effectively with co-workers and the general public.

In evaluating candidates for this position, Ozaukee County may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. 

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms. Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision.

Work Environment
 

• Work requires operating motor vehicles.  This may involve driving in inclement weather conditions.
• Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Work may require working in dangerous situations.
• Work requires wearing specialized personal protective equipment.
• May be subject to exposure to blood/body fluids and infectious and communicable diseases in various environments.

 

Ozaukee County offers a generous benefits package including: health, dental, life, & vision insurance; free employee health clinic & Teladoc; paid holidays, vacation, & sick time; state of Wisconsin WRS defined benefit pension program; bonus opportunities; employee fitness room; wellness program & wellness reimbursement; tuition reimbursement & continuing education opportunities; and more! Please note some that benefits offered are dependent on full-time/part-time status.

Ozaukee County prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, disability, genetics, veteran status or military service, marital status or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status protected by federal, state or local laws. Ozaukee County also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws.